New features also include a five-megapixel camera sensor as well as the capability to run on 4G LTE networks where the service is available.

It can also act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices if carriers allow the function.

Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller said the tablet will be capable of the same ten-hour estimated battery life as the previous model using only Wi-Fi, but noted that the limit will shorten by an hour when using 4G.

Another change that is unlikely to affect the capability of the device is the name, which is simply "new iPad", a break away from the traditional number sequence preferred by Apple.